JP3939238B2 - Panel cover in rice cooker - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a panel cover that covers a panel disposed on the outer surface of the main body of the rice cooker.
[0002]
[Prior art]
The operation panel and display panel in a rice cooker are usually arranged mainly on the front surface or shoulder of the main body, and the surface of the panel is usually exposed. When disposing a panel, for example, an operation panel, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, a through hole is formed in the shoulder portion of the main body, and an operation panel made separately is fitted into the through hole to facilitate assembly. The idea which can be performed, and the idea which improves an assembly ease and visibility by shape | molding an operation panel with a transparent or semi-transparent synthetic resin material, and adhere | attaching a panel sheet | seat on it as disclosed by patent document 2 It has been known.
[0003]
Patent Document 3 discloses a panel structure in which a self-illuminating switch is arranged on the surface of an operation panel, a panel cover is fixed to the panel, and a button portion of the self-illuminating switch is projected from a through hole of the panel cover.
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-8-451 (page 2-3, FIG. 2)
[Patent Document 2]
JP-A-9-108098 (page 2-3, FIG. 2)
[Patent Document 3]
JP-A-6-62927 (FIG. 2)
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the conventional rice cooker panel structure disclosed in Patent Document 1, since the operation panel is fitted into the opening provided in the shoulder and fixed with screws, the dirt that has entered the gap between the panel and the shoulder is removed. It was difficult to do. Moreover, in the panel structure of the rice cooker described in patent document 2, it is necessary to adhere | attach in order to set it as a waterproof structure, and while it is difficult to remove the dirt which entered the outer peripheral part of the panel, it is transparent. When the resin becomes dirty, the translucency deteriorates, and there is a drawback that it hinders use.
[0006]
Since the cover of the panel described in Patent Document 3 is fixed to the panel, the inside of the cover cannot be cleaned, and an opening is present in the switch portion or the like. Intrusion and other very easy to get dirty. In particular, both the panel and the panel cover are not practical because they are easily contaminated and cannot be cleaned.
In view of the above-described drawbacks of the prior art, the present invention provides a rice cooker that can be used in a sanitary manner by improving the appearance of the panel portion and improving the cleaning property.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a cover on the surface of the panel and improves the appearance by making the cover detachable to reduce the contamination of the panel as much as possible. To be used in a clean condition.
That is, in the rice cooker in which the panel 2 provided with operation buttons, display means and the like is arranged on the outer surface of the main body 1, the panel cover 3 that covers the outer surface of the panel 2 portion is provided. The panel cover 3 is provided with locking means at the upper part and the lower part thereof, and is detachable from the main body 1.
[0008]
The outer surface of the main body forms a curved surface protruding forward, and the panel cover 3 attached to the outer surface of the main body 1 has an approximate shape and size along the curved shape of the outer surface of the main body 1, It is formed with a radius of curvature smaller than the curvature dimension of the curved surface shape. Thereby, the mounting state can be maintained by the elastic force of the panel cover 3 itself, or rattling can be prevented. The attachment / detachment structure of the panel cover 3 is such that both the upper part and the lower part are not locking means, the lower part is fixed with a decorative screw or the like while the upper part is locked, and the panel cover is attached or detached by attaching or detaching the decorative screw. May be.
[0009]
The specific size of the panel cover 3 may cover only the panel 2 portion, but if the entire surface from the upper end to the lower end of the front surface of the main body 1 is covered, the appearance can be further improved. In addition, the entire front surface of the main body can be prevented from being stained. Moreover, it is possible to give a more design taste by giving a part or all of the surface of the panel cover a color by embossing or hot stamping. The appearance of the main body 1 itself, for example, the body and the bottom The border can be hidden. It should be noted that there is no functional problem by forming the through hole 4 at a position corresponding to an operation button of the panel 2 arranged on the outer surface of the main body 1 or other parts that are preferably exposed.
The display required for the operation panel can be configured by the arrangement of the operation panel arranged on the main body and the display described on the cover surface, but if all are arranged on the main body surface, the panel cover is removed. It can be used without any trouble even in the state of being damaged.
[0010]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of a panel cover in a rice cooker according to the present invention will be described based on the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the entire rice cooker equipped with a panel cover, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a state where the panel cover is removed, and FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional side view in which a part is enlarged.
[0011]
The rice cooker shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 cooks rice by covering the top opening of the pot 5 accommodated in the main body 1 composed of the body 1a and the bottom 1b with a lid 6, and heating the pot 5 with a heater. To do. Operations such as heating control of the heater 7 are performed by operating various operation buttons 8 and 8 disposed in the range of the panel 2 disposed in front of the main body 1. That is, various control devices are arranged on the substrate 9 on the back surface (back surface) of the panel 2, and the operation buttons are operated on the panel. The lid 6 covering the upper surface of the pot 5 can be opened and closed by operating the lid hook 10 and is locked in a closed state, and steam generated during rice cooking is discharged from the steam hole 11 to the outside. A panel cover 3 molded with a transparent synthetic resin material is detachably mounted on the front surface of the main body 1 so that the outer surface of the panel 2 is covered with the panel cover 3 during normal use.
[0012]
The rice cooker shown to FIG. 1, FIG. 2 arrange | positions the wide width panel 2 in the front of the main body 1, and forms the main body front in the curved surface which protrudes toward the front. Therefore, the panel cover 3 to be mounted on the front surface of the main body is formed wide and has a curved shape that substantially matches the curved shape of the front surface of the main body 1. A step portion 12 into which the panel cover 3 is fitted is formed on the front surface of the main body to which the panel cover 3 is mounted so that no step is generated between the panel cover 3 and the surface of the main body 1 when the panel cover 3 is mounted. , Good looking.
[0013]
The panel cover 3 that is detachably attached to the front surface of the main body 1 has a structure in which both the upper and lower portions are locked to the main body 1 and can be freely attached and detached. The specific structure is shown in FIG. In the upper locking structure, a hook portion 13 is formed at the upper end of the panel cover 3 and is locked to the upper end portion on the front surface of the main body 1. More specifically, a locking groove 13 a carved in the inner part of the hook portion 13 is engaged with a protrusion 14 formed to protrude from the front upper edge of the main body 1. In this structure, the panel cover 3 does not come off unless it is lifted from below.
[0014]
The lower locking structure is realized by holding the protrusion 15 formed to protrude from the panel cover 3 with the holding piece 16 formed on the bottom of the main body 1, that is, the bottom. The specific structure is shown in FIGS. In the structure shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, a columnar protrusion 15 is protruded from the bottom surface of the panel cover 3. On the other hand, the clamping piece 16 is molded integrally with the bottom 1b on the bottom surface of the main body 1. The sandwiching piece 16 is composed of an annular spring part 16a with a part cut off, and a support part 16b continuous to a part of the spring part 16a. The spring part 16a floats at least the thickness of the panel cover 3 from the bottom surface of the main body. Molded into a laid state. The spring portion 16a is formed with a guide portion 16c that opens outwardly at the cut portion and extends outward.
[0015]
In order to mount the panel cover having the locking structure described above, the hook portion 13 at the upper end of the panel cover 3 is engaged so as to be hooked on the protrusion 14 of the main body 1, and the panel cover 3 is moved in the direction indicated by the white arrow in FIG. Push the lower end of along the bottom 1a of the main body 1. Then, the projection 15 of the panel cover 3 enters the spring portion 16a from the guide portion 16c of the sandwiching piece 16, and is held in the state shown in FIG. The mounting state shown in FIG. 5 is maintained by the elastic force of the spring portion of the clamping piece 16. Therefore, the panel cover 3 can be easily removed by pulling the lower end portion of the panel cover 3 outward against the elastic force.
A slightly narrow insertion portion 3a is formed at the lower end of the panel cover 3, and a step portion 17 having a width in which the insertion portion 3a is fitted into the bottom 1b of the main body is formed. 17 functions as a guide.
[0016]
As described above, in the rice cooker of the illustrated example, the front surface of the main body 1 is a curved surface protruding forward, and the panel cover 3 attached to the main body 1 is curved in substantially the same shape along the main body. Yes. At this time, if the curvature radius R ₂ of the curved surface of the panel cover 3 is formed to be smaller than the curvature radius R _{1 of the} front surface of the main body 1, the curvature is widened when the panel cover 3 is attached to the main body 1. After mounting, there is an effect of holding the main body 1 by the elastic force of the panel cover 3 itself and maintaining the mounting state of the panel cover 3. However, even if the elastic force of the panel cover 3 is not so great as to maintain the mounted state, there are at least an effect of assisting the mounting state maintaining force of the panel cover 3 and an effect of preventing the mounted panel cover from rattling.
[0017]
In addition, a spring piece 19 is formed by providing a U-shaped cut 18 on the bottom 1 b of the main body, and a small protrusion 20 is formed at the tip of the spring piece 19. By adopting this structure, the front end portion of the panel cover 3 mounted as shown in FIG. 7 is pressed from top to bottom. The pressing force by the spring piece 19 has an action of pressing the bottom surface of the panel cover 3 against the clamping piece 16, specifically, the end surface of the spring portion 16 a of the clamping piece 16, and is effective in preventing rattling of the mounted panel cover 3. It works in the same way.
[0018]
FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 show a modified embodiment of the lower locking structure of the panel cover 3. In this embodiment, when the bottom 1b of the main body is molded, the spring 1 is formed by forming a spring piece 20 that is cut into three sides in a part of the bottom 1b, only one side is continuous, and bends in an inverted U shape. A claw 21 is formed at the tip of the piece 20. The spring piece 20 is configured to be bent by being pushed from the front, and the support wall 22 approaches the tip of the spring piece 20. The front end shape of the panel cover 3 that engages with the support structure, that is, the engagement end 23 is a key-shaped bent shape.
[0019]
When the front end portion of the panel cover 3 is inserted into the locking structure portion of the bottom 1b of the main body 1 shown in FIG. 9, the bottom surface of the front end portion of the panel cover bent into a key shape by the claw 21 of the spring piece 20 as shown in FIG. At the same time, the front end of the panel cover is pushed obliquely upward and forward by the elastic force of the spring piece 20, and the engaging end 23 bent into a key shape is pressed against the support wall 22. Therefore, in this locking structure, the lower end portion of the panel cover 3 is firmly held only by the elastic force of the spring piece 20, and the engaged state can be easily released by pulling out against the elastic force. is there.
[0020]
The panel cover does not necessarily have a locking structure at both upper and lower ends. For example, it can be configured to be detachable as a locking structure in which either one of the upper and lower ends is hooked with a hook and the other end as a fixing structure such as a screw. As an example, the locking structure at the upper end is the locking structure shown in FIG. 1, and the lower end of the panel cover is configured so that it can be easily attached and detached with a finger using a decorative screw 24 as shown in FIG.
Thus, if one end is made into a fixed structure, the panel cover 3 will be securely attached and will not accidentally come off.
[0021]
As described above, when the outer surface of the panel 2 is covered with the panel cover 3, the operation button 8 cannot be operated. Therefore, the panel cover 3 is provided with through holes 4 and 4 in portions where operation buttons, a display device to be viewed directly, and other parts that are preferably exposed are arranged. As shown in FIG. 12, a substrate 9 on which necessary operating devices are arranged is arranged on the back surface of the panel 2. On the substrate 9, operation devices such as operation buttons 8 and 8 and display means such as a liquid crystal display device 25 are arranged, and the operation buttons are embossed on the surface of the panel 2 to describe necessary displays and the like. The panel sheet 26 is usually attached. Therefore, the panel can be directly operated from the through holes 4 and 4 of the panel cover 3. Further, by covering the panel 2 with the panel cover 3, the panel 2 is prevented from being soiled, and the surface of the panel 2 and the inner surface of the panel cover 3 can be easily cleaned by removing the panel cover 2.
[0022]
The panel cover 3 can be improved in appearance by molding with a transparent synthetic resin material. For example, the quality of the panel 2 itself and the quality of printing are visually recognized through a transparent synthetic resin material, resulting in a high-class feeling. When the surface of the transparent panel cover 3, mainly the inner surface, is subjected to a graining process, the translucent property is maintained and it is not transparent, and the boundary line between the body 1a and the bottom 1b of the main body 1 can be made invisible. . In the illustrated embodiment, narrow textured portions 27, 27 are arranged in a horizontal stripe pattern to create a unique atmosphere.
If various patterns, colors, characters, and the like are described on the inner surface of the panel cover 3 by hot stamping or the like as well as the embossing, various design preferences can be given.
[0023]
In the above-described embodiment, it is described that the panel cover 3 is made of a transparent synthetic resin material, but the panel cover can be made of any material. In this case, it is preferable that there is some elasticity, a fixed shape can be maintained, and the mounting state can be maintained by elastic force. For example, when a glossy stainless steel plate or a material subjected to antifouling treatment is employed, it is hygienic in appearance and has a high-class feeling and is excellent in cleanability.
[0024]
FIG. 13 is a front view showing an example of the operation panel, and specifically shows the description of the panel sheet 26. This panel sheet describes all necessary displays for operation. The display on the operation panel, for example, an explanatory display of the function of the operation button can be described on the panel cover. However, if all the displays necessary for operation are arranged on the surface of the main body as the operation panel, it can be used for cooking without any trouble even when the panel cover is removed.
When the operation panel 3 is made of a transparent synthetic resin material, it is possible to see the display described at an arbitrary position on the panel sheet 26. On the other hand, if all indications are written on the surface of the panel cover in the part corresponding to the through hole, the panel cover can be used without any trouble even if an opaque panel cover is attached. Furthermore, when the display is described in a portion hidden by the panel cover, the same display as the display described on the panel sheet is described on the surface of the opaque panel cover, and the display can be used without any trouble.
[0025]
【The invention's effect】
According to the panel cover in this invention rice cooker of Claim 1 and Claim 2, by covering the panel surface of the rice cooker which is easy to get dirty with a detachable panel cover, the appearance can be improved and the dirt on the panel can be improved. Prevent and keep clean by cleaning the panel and panel cover.
And, by forming the curvature radius of the curved panel cover to be attached to the front surface of the rice cooker body with a curvature radius smaller than the curvature radius of the outer surface of the body, the panel cover is maintained in the attached state by the elastic force of the panel cover itself. Alternatively, the mounted panel cover can be prevented from rattling. In addition, the elasticity of the panel cover can cause a click feeling during attachment and detachment.
[0026]
According to the third aspect of the present invention, it is possible to operate the operation buttons on the panel regardless of whether the panel cover is attached or the panel cover is removed.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an entire rice cooker equipped with a panel cover,
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the entire rice cooker with the panel cover removed;
FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of the entire rice cooker with a part enlarged;
FIG. 4 is a bottom cover structure of the panel cover, and is a bottom view of the main body bottom and a part of the panel cover showing a separated state;
FIG. 5 is a bottom cover structure of the panel cover, and is a bottom view of only a part of the main body bottom and the panel cover showing a mounted state;
FIG. 6 is a bottom cover structure of the panel cover, and is a perspective view of only a part of the main body bottom and the panel cover showing a separated state;
FIG. 7 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a rattle prevention structure portion of a panel cover lower locking structure;
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a panel cover locking portion at the top of the main body,
FIG. 9 is a bottom sectional view of the panel cover, and is a partial cross-sectional view of the bottom of the main body showing another embodiment;
FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 9 with a panel cover attached;
FIG. 11 is a bottom view of a lower end fixing portion showing a fixing structure with a decorative screw;
FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the panel portion with the panel cover attached,
FIG. 13 is a front view showing an example of an operation panel arranged on the main body.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Main body, 1a ... Body, 1b ... Bottom, 2 ... Panel, 3 ... Panel cover, 4 ... Through-hole, 5 ... Hook, 6 ... Lid, 7 ... Heater, 8 ... Operation button, 9 ... Substrate, 10 ... Lid Hook, 11 ... Steam hole, 12 ... Step part, 13 ... Hook part, 13a ... Locking groove, 14 ... Projection, 15 ... Projection, 16 ... Clamping piece, 16a ... Spring part, 16b ... Support part, 16c ... Guide , 17 ... Stepped part, 18 ... Notch, 19 ... Spring piece, 20 ... Spring piece, 21 ... Claw, 22 ... Support wall, 23 ... Engagement end, 24 ... Decoration screw, 25 ... Liquid crystal display device, 26 ... Panel sheet, 27 ... wrinkled part.

Claims (3)

  The outer surface of the main body forms a curved surface that protrudes forward, and a panel having operation buttons, display means, etc. is disposed on the outer surface of the curved surface, and has an approximate shape and dimensions along the curved shape of the outer surface of the main body. A panel cover formed with a radius of curvature smaller than the curvature dimension of the curved shape of the outer surface of the main body, covering the outer surface of the panel portion, and provided with locking means on the upper and lower parts of the panel cover respectively on the outer surface of the main body A panel cover in a rice cooker characterized by being detachable.   The outer surface of the main body forms a curved surface that protrudes forward, and a panel having operation buttons, display means, etc. is disposed on the outer surface of the curved surface, and has an approximate shape and dimensions along the curved shape of the outer surface of the main body. A panel cover formed with a radius of curvature smaller than the curvature dimension of the curved shape of the outer surface of the main body covers the outer surface of the panel portion, the locking means on the upper part of the panel cover, and fixing means such as decorative screws on the lower part A panel cover in a rice cooker characterized in that it is detachable from the outer surface of the main body.   It is preferable that the operation button and other parts are exposed on the panel cover while embossing the operation button part etc. on the surface of the panel to be arranged on the outer surface of the main body, and displaying the display necessary for the operation. The panel cover in the rice cooker according to claim 1, wherein a through hole is formed at a position corresponding to the part.

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